System and structure for high speed traffic



Oct. 18, 1932. J. w. FRY

SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE FOR HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC Filed Sept. 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jugru g W Fly 7v v A mm mm mm mm E M WLWWWMAMWE%WWW W *N ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1932. J. w. FRY 1,883,363

SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE] FOR HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC Filed Sept. 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N l h l w i Q Ma O Q INVENTOR 5 Jugfus W Hy Patented Oct. 18, 1932 J'USTUS 1W. I'BY, OF BENTON, WASHINGTON A BYSTEI AND STRUCTURE FOR HIGH SPEED TWO Application am September 9, mo. Serial in. 480,705.

The invention is a'structure that may be built through cities or across the country connecting cities to expediate traflic through or between the cities.

The structure is a roadway, or a plurality of roadways,-which may be in combination with high speed elevated railroads, and may be covered by an airplane landing surface forming a roof thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide a plurality of continuous roadways 1n which tratfic of different kinds, and at different speeds may be segrega Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of continuous roadways combined in a unit, which is adapted to be constructed through cities, across the country, or for'bridging railroad right of ways.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of continuous roadways which are constructed in units so that the units may be readil assembled during construction, and rea y removed and replaced when repairing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of continuous roadways which are or may be covered to insure dry travelling surfaces at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of continuous roadways in combination with hi h speed railroad tracks.

A further object 0% the invention is to provide a structure embodying a plurality of continuous roadways which is so supported that the supporting means may be adjusted to maintain a comparatively level roadway over uneven surfaces, such as hills, valleys and waterways.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a universal structure embodying a plurality of continuous roadways in combmation with high speed railways in which telephone, telegraph and electrical conduits may be embodied.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a structurefor a plurality of continuous roadways which is of acomparatively simple, flexible and economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies a steel superstructure having a plurality of reenforced concrete blocks formin a plurality of flat surfaces thereon, and railways supported on members extending from the sides thereof, on top or on interme-' diate elevations.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the followin description taken in connection with the awin s, wherein igure 1 is a side elevation showing a portion of the structure.

Figure 2 is a plan-view of aportion of the structure.

Figure 3 is a typical cross section through the structure with the railway omitted.

Figure 4 is a similar section showing one side of the structure with the high speed railway in combination therewith.

Figure 5 is a somewhat similar section with the details omitted showing that the width of the structure may be increased to provide additional roadway.

Figure 6 is also a similar section showing that the height of the structure may be increased to provide additional roadways.

, Figure 7 is across section through one of the concrete blocks looking toward one of the outside walls showing the construction thereof.

In the drawings the structure is shown as it would be made wherein numeral 1' indicates one of the concrete blocks, numeral 2 the supporting columns, and numeral 3 the horizontal members.

The blocks 1 are formed of concrete slabs with substantially heavy walls 4 at the outer side, and somewhat smaller walls 5 at the inner side. Continuous openings 6 may be placed through the walls 4 and lamps 7' may be positionedon the inner surfaces thereof. Other lamps 8 may be located on the under side of the slab, as shown in Figure 3, to light the roadway below. It will also be understood that similar lamps may be located on the under side of the upper slab to light the intermediate roadways, if desired. The' slabs may also be provided with rings 9 which normally fold into pockets 10 as shown in the slabs of the lower roadway shown in Figure 3. These rings may also be placed in the slabs of the upper roadways if desired, and it will be noted that a crane or boom hook may be attached to the rings to remove or replace the slabs. These rings may be placed in the center of gravity of the slabs, or as many rings as may be desired may be used.

It will be noted that the edges of the slabs are provided with shoulders 11, as shown in Figure 7 which rest upon the horizontal beams 3 to support the sides of the slabs, and at the outer ends of the slabs are sections 12 which rest upon longitudinal beams 13 extending between the posts 2, and also at the inner end of the slabs is another section 14 which rests upon longitudinal beams 15. The slabs are therefore supported at all four sides. The slabs are also provided with central reenforcing ribs 16 extending longitudinally thereof, as shown in Figure 7 It will be noted that the upper slabs forming the top platform of the structure may be provided without the central sections 5 in order to form a broad flat surface sufiicient for airplanes to land upon or take off from. These slabs are indicated by the numeral 17, and are otherwise similar to the slabs 1. All of the slabs are also provided with drain trenches 18 at the sides, as shown.

In the design shown the posts 2, the transverse members 3, and the longitudinal members 13 and 15 are made of steel. However, it will be understood that these may be made of any suitable material and of any suitable design. The lower ends of the columns 2 may be lengthened or shortened to provide for unevenness of the surface over which the structure is built, and may also be carried down to any suitable footing. Any suitable foundations may be provided for these posts.

In the design shown in Figure 4 the transverse members 3 are extended and a lower rail 19 is attached to the ends of the intermediate members through a supporting beam 20, and the upper rail 21 is supported from the upper members through beams 22 and 23. A train 24, as shown in Figure 1 and 4, is mounted between the rails 19 and 21 with double flanged wheels 25 at the bottom and 26 at the top. These wheels may be termed traction or guide wheels, as the train is driven by drive wheels 27 which engage the sides of the member 23, and may be driven by motors 28, as shown inFigure i. It will be understood that this is only one design of train that may be used upon this structure, and that trains of any other type or design may also be used.

The details of the structures shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be the same as for the structure shown in Figure 3. The only difference in the structures is that in order to increase the number of roadways the structure is extended laterally 'in Figure 5, and

vertically in Figure 6. It will be understood It will be understood that other changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, one of which changes may be in the use of concrete slabs or reenforced steel or concrete blocks of any other shape or design, another may be in the use of other material instead of the concrete as described, another may be in the use of other means of supporting the said slabs or blocks, and still another may be in the use of other fixtures, conduits or devices in combination with the said slabs and structure.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use the structure may be provided as shown in the drawings, and it will be understood that vehicles may enter the roadways by inclined runways or ramps 29 at the sides of the structure, and considerable flat surface may be provided between the upper end of the ramp, which may be indicated by the numeral 30, and a point 31 at which the vehicle may enter the roadway so that the vehicle may develop considerable speed, or a speed equal to that of trafiic on the roadway before entering the same. These points are shown at the lower side of the plan view in Figure 2. As an illustration, the speed of vehicles on the inside of the dotted line 32 may be ninety miles per hour, and of those on the outside fifty miles per hour upon the intermediate roadway, and the lower roadway may be used primarily for busses and trucks It will be understood that the approaches or ramps 29 may be located whereever desired, and may be arranged in any suitable manner. A filling station, as indicated by the numeral 33, may be placed on the platform at the upper end of the ramp, and on the same platform comfort stations and a telephone booth may also be located, as indicated by thenumeral 34. This space may also be used for making repairs, and

any other suitable devices or attachments, I

may be located therein. It will be understood that similar approaches or ramps 29 may be used for the lower and top platform, and these may be arranged in any suitable manner.

It will be understood that the airplane landing surface at the top may be widened as desired, or may be widened at center points such as at the service stations or the like.

It will also be understood that this structure may be arranged to form a single roadway, a plurality of roadways, or a single or plurality of roadways in combination with a high speed railway system, or a single or having openings for conduits through the i way plurality, of roadways in combination with an airplane landing surface, or in combination with both the high speed railwaysand airplane landing surface, as may be desired.

Having thus-fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device ofthe character described, a plurality of flat slabs having raised portions at the ends, a suitable steel structure for supporting the slabs to form a plurahty of continuous roadways, a complete flat surface above the said roadway-forming a continuous covering therefor and also a landing and guideway for airplanes, and suitable approaches to the said roadways.

2. In a device of the character described, a plurality of continuous roadways, a suitable structure for supporting the said roadways, a plurality of removable blockspositloned upon the said structure and formmg the surfaces of the said roadways, said blocks havm extensions at the ends forming walls an said extensions, means in the said blocks b 4 which they may readily be gripped and raise and suitable approaches to the said road 3. In a structure of the character described, a plurality of continuous roadways, means for supporting said roadways, said roadways being formed of a plurality of independent blocks that may readily be removed and replaced, a continuous covering for the said a structure forming a guideway and landing surface for airplanes, and suitable approaches to the said roadway.

4. In a structure of the character described, a plurality of'continuous roadways, a suitable structure for supporting the said roadways, suitable approaches to the said roadways, and in combination with the said roadways, continuous railway tracks at the sides thereof and supported therefrom, and a suitable train adapted to operate upon the said tracks.

5. In combination, a plurality of continuous roadways formed of independent concrete blocks supported upon a suitable steel structure and having a complete covering also forming a landing field for airplanes, and a railwayformed at the sides of the said structure and supported therefrom in which the railway is formed with single rails at the top and bottom and the train supported between the rails with the drive wheels engaging the supported at the sides of the" said roadways; steel posts with a steel framework for supporting the said roadways landing platform and railway, and concrete locks forming the platform, said platform and roadway having indications thereon, and a high speed railway supported at the sides of the said roadways; steel posts with a steel framework for supporting the said roadways, landing platform and railway, and concrete blocks forming the surfaces of the said roadways and landing platform.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature.

JUSTUS W. FRY. 7

sides of a beam at the top and above the upper rail; 7

y 6. A continuous roadway having in combination roadways for heavy slow moving vehicles, other roadways for comparatively light weight rapid vehicles, a continuous coverin formin an airplane guideway and Ian ing plat orm, and a highspeed railway 

